So said Governor Chris Patten thanking police officers at
Government House Police Post for their sterling service
over the past half-decade - and for a carved eagle they
presented him as a memento of his tenure in Hong Kong.
This was the Governor's last visit to the Police Post and
we wanted to give him something special," said Station
Sergeant Li Chun-wai, the post's officer in charge.
"I told Mr Patten the eagle means power and strength in
Chinese culture and that we wish him and his family all
the best in the future."
There are 36 police officers working at the Government
House Police Post. Their responsibilities include
everything from internal security to accepting letters of
petition at the House's gates.
SSgt Li's impression of the Governor is that of a "Kind,
friendly and very busy man who read documents even in his
car when going out."
During his farewell tour of the Police Post, Mr Patten
showed much interest in the old pictures of Government
House, the Botanical Gardens, Central Police Station and
Queen's Pier that hang on the wall of its rest room.
This will have the effect of making these emblems the
legal property of the Commissioner and provide legal
redress against anyone using them without prior approval.
PGO 11-26 para 1 requires inter alia that: "Designs for
ties, scarves, plaques or other items which identify with
the Force in any way by use of Force colours, badges, name
or initials" require the approval of the Force Colours
Committee.
Para 4 states: "No officer shall arrange for the
manufacture of any articles bearing the Force colours,
badge or the words Royal Hong Kong Police" other than items
for individual presentation, without the prior approval
of the Commissioner of Police."
No plaques, souvenirs, T-shirts, etc. bearing the Force
colours, the new badges or crest may be produced without
prior approval. Applications should be made to the Force
Colours Committee (att: CSP PS) in the first instance.
"They replace the old Police Motor Boats which have
served us so well since they first entered service some 25
years ago," he said.
Of the seven new launches, three belong to the smaller
version which is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots
while four others are the larger and heavier version with
a top speed of 44 knots. Both can carry up to eight persons
in addition to the crew.
The Commissioner said the vessels would be deployed in all
Sea Divisions and would concentrate operations in Marine
West Division which had the new Airport Project and the
illegal immigration problems of Deep Bay to contend with.
He thanked the Marine Department's New Craft Section for
their guidance, approval and technical support; the Boston
Whaler Company and their agent China Pacific Marine, who
have designed and built those sturdy launches; and the
Policy Branches for their continued support of the Marine
Region's Fleet.
Mr Hui also showed appreciation to the Support Bureau of
Marine Headquarters for their hard work in putting
together the background proposals, the follow through on
acquisition, and the subsequent practical work up training
for the crews.
The Boston Whalers will strengthen the Group's capability
for policing the coastline of the territory. The Inshore
Patrol Group supplements larger Hong Kong Police launches
that cannot enter shallower waters during the patrolling
of typhoon shelters and inshore search and rescue, as well
as during anti-illegal immigration and smuggling
operations.
Tax deductions for Uniform and Equipment Maintenance
The 1996/97 tax deduction rate granted to members of the
Force to cover the maintenance of uniform and equipment
remains at HK$1,600. The rate also applies to civilian
officers in the Force who are required to wear a uniform
in the course of their duties. The deduction will not
automatically be given but must be claimed by individual
officers in their annual salaries tax return.
Cancellation of Discount Offered by Union Hospital, Shatin
Be informed that the 10 per cent discount offered to Force
members by Union Hospital, Shatin, will cease with effect
from 1 July 1997. For enquiries please call To Ming-yin,
APWO HQ: 2804-1109.
"We continually receive requests from members of the
Force to arrange a Cantonese cooking class for their
overseas maids to help improve their cooking skills,Ó e
xplains Superintendent of Police Catering, David Chung
Chuen.
Chinese cooking night classes arranged by the Catering
School are very popular with both police officers and
civilian staff. The classes are taught by the Catering
Sergeant and are always full.
The Basic Cantonese Cookery Course for overseas maids
lasts eight weeks and will take place on Saturdays from 3pm
to 5pm at the Police Catering School in Tai Po, between 6
September and 1 November at a cost of $800. Each class
will teach maids how to prepare two Cantonese dishes and
one type of soup. Class size will be limited to 15
students and instruction will be in English. Deadline for
enrollment is 29 August.
Enquiries: WIP May Cheung on 2666-4236.
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APPLICATION has been made to register a trademark
and patent on the new Force Crest and Badges of Rank in
the name of the Commissioner of Police.
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